June 29, 2011

• Raising Tomatoes

  

  If you've ever raised tomatoes you know the importance of staking them so they don't grow wild and all over the place.  You have to stake them to keep them growing straight and tall. 

  Raising kids is a lot like raising tomatoes.  I just love the Raising Godly Tomatoes website.  The premise is to teach one lesson.  Simple enough?  Teach them to obey.   

  Problems with raising Godly tomatoes arise when as parents we get lazy.  We're all guilty of letting things slide.  I might see something that needs correcting and I think "I'll deal with it later."  After all, it wasn't a big thing.  One week or one month later my little tomatoes are wild!  I'm fussing.  I'm separating children.  I'm threatening.  I'm miserable.  If only I had taken the time the time to teach and reinforce the importance of obedience right away instead of "dealing with it later". 

  I often ask my children, "When do we obey?"  They know the reply is, "The first time."  I recently read that Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar reinforce obedience by playing a game.  They give their kids fun commands (like a simple version of Simon Says) and they are rewarded when they immediately and cheerfully respond.  Afterward they talk with the children about why it is important to always obey their parents right away.  They remind them of the rewards of doing what is right. 

  Tomato staking requires lots of time with our children and it requires that we be attentive.  It's hard but the results are more than worth it.  I love tomatoes (both the kid kind and the vegetable fruit kind).  I want to enjoy my children.  I want to savor every juicy moment of every juicy day. 

  Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.
  - Colossians 3:20
  

  • 7:03 am
  • 1 Comment